Off the track Thoroughbred Metro Meteor, known as the "Painting Racehorse," will partner with Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course June 1 to help raise awareness for equine aftercare efforts through a variety of means, including donations and on-track informational booths.
His visit will be one of the many events planned for the biggest night in the track's 40-year history, with the live racing card headlined by the inaugural running of the $500,000 Penn Mile, the richest race ever run in Central Pennsylvania. The one-mile turf stakes for 3-year olds is expected to attract some of the best sophomore grass runners in the nation.
As part of the day's activities, Penn National will be donating a total of $10,000 to three equine aftercare organizations: CANTER of Pennsylvania, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, and ReRun Inc.
All three organizations will be on-track at Penn National June 1 to share information on their programs and collect donations.
During the races that day, Metro Meteor will take residence in a portable stall on the Penn National apron area, and 50 of his "Metro Mini" paintings will be available for purchase, with all the proceeds going to benefit New Vocations. Fans will be able to see him, and it is also possible that he will put paintbrush to canvas and display his artistic flair at some point during the evening.
After retiring from racing in 2009 with earnings of nearly $300,000 for Renpher Stables, Metro was adopted by Ron and Wendy Krajewski.
Following two years as a riding horse, knee problems surfaced for Metro that ended that vocation. However, Ron Krajewski was amazingly able to teach Metro to paint by holding a brush in his mouth.
To date, Metro's paintings have collectively sold for more than $32,000, with half of the proceeds going to benefit New Vocations. Metro has developed a huge fan following and was recently the focus of a TV story that appeared on the Today Show.
"It seemed natural to tie in the biggest night of racing in our track's history with the important initiative of raising awareness for equine aftercare efforts," said Dan Silver, director of racing operations at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, in a release. "I'd like to thank Ron and Wendy Krajewski for bringing their incredible artist on track, in addition to CANTER of Pennsylvania, New Vocations, and ReRun for being part of what will be an incredible evening."
Click here to read a "Beyond the Blinkers" blog about Metro Meteor. Visit the gelding's website at www.paintedbymetro.com.
The racing action June 1 will also include the $250,000 Mountainview Handicap, $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup, $50,000 Penn Dash, and a pair of $60,000 six-furlong dirt sprints for Pennsylvania-bred or Pennsylvania-sired horses. It will be the richest day of racing in the 40-year history of Penn National.
HRTV will be providing race day coverage of the Penn Mile, including in-studio commentary and analysis by network talent TV and online features and promotion during the week leading up to the events.
Post time will be 6 p.m. EDT with an All Stakes Early Pick 4 and the Penn Mile scheduled as the fourth race on the card with an approximate 7:49 p.m. post.